Utilities avoid big trouble in Central Mass.

Monday

Feb 11, 2013 at 10:00 AMFeb 11, 2013 at 3:58 PM

By Scott J. Croteau TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

National Grid, which has about 30,000 customers without power in the state, sidestepped sizable problems in Central Massachusetts during the storm. The utility expects to solve a trouble spot in Northboro – where 162 customers are without power – by late this afternoon.

In northern Central Massachusetts, Unitil was virtually trouble-free. Officials said during the height of the winter storm only one customer – out of roughly 28,000 in four communities – lost power for one hour. That sole customer was in Lunenburg, spokesman Alec O'Meara said.

The type of snow that fell in the northern part of Central Massachusetts was a factor.

“What we saw in our service territory was dry, light and fluffy now,” Mr. O'Meara said.

He said the customers serviced by Unitil in Fitchburg, Lunenburg, Townsend and Ashby – along with the roughly 50 customers in Leominster and Shirley – saw about 2 feet of snow.

That snow was not heavy and sticky, the usual culprit that causes power lines to fall.

“We always want to hope for the best and prepare for the worst,” Mr. O'Meara said. “We believe very strongly that when Mother Nature wants to win, she is going to win.”

The snow and sleet that hit the area this morning was replaced by a steady rainfall in the afternoon. Some pooling occurred on Worcester streets, but nothing major.

Commissioner Robert L. Moylan Jr. of the Worcester Department of Public Works and Parks Commissioner said early this afternoon that all of city streets were plowed, sanded and salted. The rainfall could cause some of the sand to dissipate. Sanders could go back out later tonight, he said.

Crews still have to clear some sidewalks and cut down on snow banks.

The morning snow and sleet mix that hit the area this morning prompted some area school officials to rethink their original call for a two-hour delay. On second thought, they opted to cancel the full day.

Superintendent Sean M. Gilrein of the Dudley-Charlton Regional School District said he had plans in place for a delayed open. Then, like other superintendents, he starting receiving weather reports that called for hazardous conditions early this morning.

“We decided to pull the plug around the time there was the potential of having elementary and middle school students on the bus,” he said. “We had a concern with the high school students driving.”

Mr. Gilrein said the roads had been plowed in his towns and he remained in contact with the bus companies early this morning. Considering his district buses around 90 percent of students, it made sense to cancel school.

“I'm looking out my window and there is steady rain and sleet,” he said in an interview about 9:30 this morning.

Auburn is another district that switched from a delayed opening to a cancellation.

Worcester Public Schools announced this afternoon that it plans to reopen all buildings and programs Tuesday. School officials planned to watch for freezing conditions on the roads tonight, but they expected to open schools Tuesday.

School officials asked parents to have patience because bus travel may be slowed on narrow streets and to remind children to be cautious on streets where snowbanks force them to walk on the street. The piles of snow may make it difficult for drivers to see students crossing the street.

The U.S. Postal Service said this morning that normal mail delivery will occur as long as it is safe to do so. Mail processing and delivery resumes today and most post offices are open during normal business hours.